“No, all my neighbors were old.” He sighed.“And the only single omega on the block had to have been at least eighty.”
Before I could tease him, he brought the waterback up to my lips. “Drink some more of this. You did a great job and I don’twant you getting dehydrated.”
Griffin didn’t seem to find anythingawkward about helping me with more water, so I relaxed and let him. It wasnice. As much as I liked Tristan and I appreciated the way they’d made me partof their family to a certain extent, just having an alpha I could pretend withfor a few minutes was wonderful.
When I was finished drinking, he pulled thebottle away and cuddled me again. He chuckled. “I’m guessing we have a minuteor two, tops, before someone else checks on you.”
I nodded. “Can’t let the big scary alphasteal me away.”
“I had to walk through the gauntlet just toget permission the first time. I’m not sure how another interrogation will go.”There was a smile in his voice, but I could hear tension hiding in it too.
“They liked you before. I’m sure theyremember you.” I giggled. “Austin always called you that hot firefighter.”
He groaned. “Well, it’s that hot caterernow.”
“Really?” My head popped up again. “Youalways said you wanted to do something where you got to cook.”
“I’m surprised you remembered that.” Heshrugged. “It took me a while to figure everything out, but as my twenty wascoming up with the department, I knew I wanted to do something else.”
“Austin will be very sad. You were thehottest guy there.” The wicked smile he gave me had me blushing again. “Stopthat.”
He gave me a smug grin. “I don’t know whatyou’re talking about. The sexiest firefighter ever can’t do anything wrong.”
Before I could figure out a good comeback,I heard someone clear their throat. I knew that dramatic sound anywhere.Turning, I smiled at Austin. “I did great.”
“And you’re so modest too.” He grinned.“And did I do great by…”
He gestured between us. “When he threwhimself on the ground and begged to be the one to rescue you, I couldn’t sayno.”
Griffin grunted, but I nodded. “Yes, youdid. He’s been a knight in shining armor since I can remember.”
Griffin’s quiet groan had Austin nearlygiggling. “Well, he certainly swept you off your feet…or knees in this case.”
It was my turn to groan as I pictured how Imust have looked.
“I had to save him. He’s sweet and tooinnocent for that wicked crowd.” Griffin playing along made me grin, but Austinsnorted.
“I’m not sure you know what innocent meansif you can aim it at that wicked omega.” Austin’s comeback had me sitting upand giving a very well-rehearsed innocent expression to Griffin.
“It’s his fault. He’s naughty and he talksme into all kinds of things.” I might not look like the picture-perfect tinysubmissive omega, but I had a pretty good innocent look going.
Griffin’s groan that time soundedsurprisingly…sexual. “Stop that.”
I grinned.
We might not have been anything more thanfriends, but it was nice to feel attractive and to see him react. I aimed a particularlygood pout at Austin. “My knight does not appreciate me.”
He giggled. “It’s very sad. But what elseis sad is that while I’ve made sure the trays are filled, they’re running lowagain.”
Then he sighed. “And the other two guys whocame with you are flirting with some of the alphas who were alone and that’smore important than paying attention to the food, honestly, but there’s stillthe food…and I can’t go play in the playroom if I have to be in charge of thefood.”
Griffin snorted. “I’m sure being a grown-upfor a while won’t kill you.”
Looking back at me, he studied me for amoment. “Do you want more water? Anything?”
I shook my head. Everything felt a littleoff and a nap sounded wonderful, but I felt better than I’d expected. “I’mfine. Thank you for staying with me.”
Giving him a quick hug, I slipped off hislap and sat down on the couch beside him. “You’ll find me again before youleave, right? I want to have lunch or something soon.”
